Winking at her co-conspirator, Janet smiled, showing off her dimples. “I know.”
Chapter 22
Sometime early New Year’s morning
Karen sat snuggled up next to Dom on his sofa. They had not too long ago gotten in from Henry and Joan’s New Year’s Eve party. It was like Christmas all over again with the entire family together, with the exception of the tension in the air with Beatrice being in attendance. Everyone was living up to their commitment to have a spirit of forgiveness where the older woman was concerned. Beatrice had gladly welcomed and was genuinely appreciative of her new family’s change of heart toward her.
The older children, if you could call them that, had thought they had hit the jackpot when the grownups agreed to them staying up to bring in the New Year. They had grumbled complaining they weren’t babies like the triplets, NJ and Autumn. No way were they going upstairs to bed at eight-thirty with the babies. So after much pleading and begging, they had been allowed to stay only if they promised not to get into any trouble.
Henry had allowed them to have run of the den to watch as many cartoons as they wanted and to play as many board games as they could handle. Just to make sure they were behaving, each of the adults took turns doing fifteen minute checks. By ten in the evening checks were no longer needed. Ashley and Zoe were sprawled out on the huge, dark brown leather sofa. And Kyle was curled up on the matching leather loveseat. All of the adults laughed when Kevin returned to the party from his turn to check the children. “Alright, which one of you drugged the kids? They’re passed out in there like drunken sailors on leave.”
Five minutes before midnight corks of champagne were popped and glasses filled. When the stroke of midnight signaled a new year, Karen made a wish. Please God, let Dom be the one. She and Dom joined in with the other couples as they kissed the first kiss of the New Year. Even Charles, the butler who practically raised Langston, gave Beatrice a quick peck on the cheek. A few raised eyebrows caused Beatrice to drop her head, blushing from embarrassment.
After rounds of hugs and wishing each other a happy and prosperous year, parents began gathering their sleeping children to set off for home. Karen was pleased that the Perettis had offered to keep Ashley and Kyle for the night. As done after each gathering, each family had made the round of calls letting the others know they had made it home safely. Karen had just hung up the phone with Summer and Nick before snuggling up next to Dom.
“Everybody home okay?” Dom asked as he kissed her temple.
“Yes, all is well.”
“Good.”
Each sat in silence as they thought what the new year would bring them. Dom wondered if it was too soon to let on to his feelings for Karen. He had never felt this way about another woman. Not even Gina, and he had believed that he was mad crazy in love with her. Last year this time he had been on the west coast, living his life as a carefree bachelor. The farthest thing from his mind was falling in love. But then he met Karen and her children and his life has never been the same.
He told himself in the beginning he was marginally attracted to her. If he asked her out and they had some fun and moved on it would be all good. Moving back to Philly and getting caught up in a serious relationship never crossed his mind. But then he met her children at his niece’s party. Kyle was a little demon on wheels, Ashley a sweet little girl having to indirectly pay the price for her brother’s behavior, and Karen, a single mom at the end of her rope. He would never forget the look of anguish and embarrassment on Karen’s face when Kyle blew up, throwing a tantrum at the party. The tears of frustration in Ashley’s eyes because her mom was so embarrassed that she was ready to make them leave the party, tugged at Dom’s heart. Any other time, he would have minded his own business and looked the other way, but this one time he couldn’t. And as he held Karen, snuggled so close to him, he was glad he hadn’t minded his business.
Karen was finally able to admit to herself that she wanted Dom for keeps. But how would she tell him so? Would she run him off if she told him she had fallen madly in love with him? Should she wait until he told her he loved her? Yes, because what if he doesn’t feel the same way? I don’t know if my heart can take it. She sincerely hoped God had heard her prayer. She knew in her heart that he was the one for her and her children. He had at least revealed his love for Ashley and Kyle. And she appreciated it, too. A feeling of sadness washed over her as she wondered what her life would have been like if she had met Dom before Gregory. It probably wouldn’t have worked out since she was two years older than Dom.